tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88560914269966444072015-05-09T14:22:20.730-04:00An Aura of Sinister GentilityRandom musings on a life of adventurous expectancyMograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-60330526341799988492012-07-24T11:52:00.001-04:002012-07-24T11:52:31.868-04:00<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-8787000760141436662011-12-21T15:59:00.001-05:002011-12-21T16:39:51.365-05:00A Trip Into The ParanormalLast night I took a step into the paranormal world. No, I did not see a ghost nor get probed by aliens from another dimension. I stepped into the shop Circles of Wisdom in Andover, Massachusetts and attended the Paranormal Research Group meeting held there monthly by Mr. Ron Kolek of the New England Ghost Project. The store is quite nice and centrally located right on Main Street in Andover, so if new age books and gifts are your bag, you should check them out. <br /><br />Being my first visit, I was not sure what to expect. I had located the meet-up by Googling "Massachusetts paranormal groups" or something similar, and up came the listing for Mr. Kolek's monthly study group in Andover. I had heard of Ron Kolek before: he's authored a couple of books on ghostly subjects and has been featured on podcasts. From this outsider newbie's perspective looking in, from what I can tell, Mr. Kolek is a fairly well-known figure in this field, especially in New England. So I was looking forward to meeting up with Ron and his research group.<br /><br />The meeting was scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. and there was a $15 fee to attend. The gathering itself occurred in a tidy little room in the back of the shop. All told there were fifteen of us in attendance, including Mr. Kolek. It was a comfortable group of "average folks," varying in age from mid-twenties to early sixties, with most folks solidly into their forties. Introductions were made all around; about three-quarters of the group were returnees, with maybe three or four of us being first-timers. A few people in the group claimed to have psychic abilities, psychic sensitivities, and/or had brushes with the paranormal. I am solidly not in this category, being a self-described "open minded skeptic." I've never knowingly had any paranormal encounters or psychic experiences, although I've been curious about such things since childhood. Ron introduced himself as an avowed believer in the paranormal since having a near-death experience some years ago. Today he conducts a number of his investigations with professed psychic Maureen Woods. Together they have authored a couple of books on the paranormal.<br /><br />After introductions, Ron handed around a silver finger ring, asking each person to focus on the object for a few moments and jot down on paper any impressions that might come to mind. The ring was passed around while the meeting continued. Next up we listened to a couple of EVP recordings and watched a few YouTube videos, including one video of Ron and Maureen investigating the so-called "Bridgewater Triangle" - and what appears to be Maureen being temporarily possessed by an evil spirit lurking in the forest. Group discussion followed the media presentation. <br /><br />Several members of the group had brought a number of paranormal investigation tools to the meeting, from high-tech EMF detectors and shack-hack radios to a low-tech Ouija board. After a couple of prayers for protection addressed to whatever benign spiritual energy might be listening, folks took turns with the Ouija board. At the same time, others were keeping an eye on their EMF detectors and listening in for any meaningful messages on the shack-hack radios. To my awareness, there were no observable messages from the "other side." <br /><br />The "ring game" did not produce anything definitive. Those claiming psychic abilities in the room could not produce an accurate reading on the ring, which, as it turned out, is a ring belonging to Ron's son. We also did a second psychic experiment, with everyone present attempting to discern the identity of a concealed object that Ron had placed in a cardboard box. Again, nobody in the room came up with an accurate description. Finally Ron asked folks to guess the shape of the object. I was the first to offer up "rectangle," so I managed to score a $10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts (thanks Ron!). <br /><br />The two hours went by swiftly. At a few minutes after nine o'clock, the meeting broke up and folks went home. I enjoyed myself. Even though I felt that I was more on the skeptical side of the spectrum than most folks in the room, everyone was respectful and friendly and eager to discuss all matters ghostly. The group is definitely focused on ghosts and psychic abilities; such subjects as UFOs and cryptozoology did not come up in the course of our two hours. Still, I found it to be a nice group of people who are very sincere in their desire to understand more of our mysterious universe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-55915722661338163312011-11-23T12:59:00.001-05:002011-11-23T13:07:01.627-05:00Lands of Mystery, Trail of the Gold Spike, and Justice Inc.Way back in the early 1980s, the Hero/Champions game system offered a supplement for its <i>Justice, Inc.</i> roleplaying game entitled <i>Lands of Mystery.</i> Now, back in the day, I was just a young whippersnapper who played <i>Dungeons and Dragons</i> pretty much exclusively, and my knowledge of new gaming products and offerings was limited to whatever was on the rack at the Erich Fuchs hobby shop at the Liberty Tree Mall. And even then, if it was not stated out for <i>D&D</i>, I pretty much ignored it.<br /><br />Flash forward to the present. I'm older (but likely not wiser). I've got access to the Internet and several decades of roleplaying experience under my belt (not to mention gallons of Mountain Dew, a few hundred subs and pizzas consumed at the gaming table, etc.). I've developed an avowed hankering for anything that whiffs of "pulp adventure," thanks mostly to my fascination with the <i>Call of Cthulhu</i> roleplaying game (horror pulp), weird tales, Indiana Jones, the Rocketeer, the Shadow, Doc Savage, and so forth.<br /><br />A few years ago I was fortunate to stumble upon a pretty much near mint copy of the boxed set <i>Justice, Inc</i>. published by Hero Games. I don't remember what store or what bargain bin I fell across it, but I snapped it up, even though I don't play the Hero/Champions system (I'm more of a keep it simple, <i>Call of Cthulhu</i>/Chaosium Basic Roleplaying type of guy). This is the type of set that I won't read for the rules or mechanics of play, but I will read for the campaign source material. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/23/1534.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/23/s_1534.jpg' border='0' width='193' height='261' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Along with the <i>Justice Inc.</i> boxed set, Hero Games produced two supplements for the game: <i>Trail of the Gold Spike</i>, an adventure module, and <i>Lands of Mystery</i>, a sourcebook for conducting "lost worlds" type campaigns modeled after the fiction of Edgar Rice Borroughs, Jules Verne, and Arthur Conan Doyle. Or, if you grew up in the 1970s and remember that staple of UHF daytime viewing, the <i>Land of the Lost</i> television serial featuring "lost in time" adventurers Marshall, Will and Holly (on a routine expedition...).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/23/1535.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/23/s_1535.jpg' border='0' width='225' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Being an avowed <i>Call of Cthulhu</i> gamer, normally I'd take marginal interest in <i>Justice Inc</i>. and its two supplements. However...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/23/1536.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/23/s_1536.jpg' border='0' width='225' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Both <i>Trail of the Gold Spike </i>and <i>Lands of Mystery</i> advertise that - in addition to being stated out for the Hero/Champions system - they also are stated for use with the roleplaying games <i>Daredevils</i> (Fantasy Games Unlimited), <i>Mercenaries, Spies & Private Eyes</i> (Flying Buffalo), <i>Chill</i> (Pacesetter Games) and...wait for it...<i>Call of Cthulhu</i> (Chaosium). Huzzah!<br /><br />Having some store credit handy with an online games seller, I'd previously ordered <i>Trail of the Gold Spike</i> and today I've ordered a copy of <i>Lands of Mystery</i>. Both were overpriced, but since I'm trading some of my older, unused gaming stuff for store credit, I had "free money" to burn and decided to beef up my <i>Call of Cthulhu</i> game bookshelf with these marginal, "non-canon" purchases. <i>Trail of the Gold Spike</i> has already arrived and I've flipped through it. I'm very much looking forward to the arrival of <i>Lands of Mystery</i>, since it is written by the very talented Aaron Allston (he of <i>D&D Rules Cyclopedia</i> fame and many other writing projects). <i>Lands of Mystery</i> seems to be universally acclaimed in all of the web sources I've checked, so I look forward to exploring this oldie but goodie when it arrives at my domicile. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-6431117095693309242011-11-20T23:50:00.001-05:002011-11-23T10:40:38.648-05:00Magic Kingdom Open Until 3 A.M.!It's almost midnight and I have to be getting to bed for another busy work day tomorrow (Monday - ugh). At least it is the week of the Thanksgiving holiday, and I've got a few extra days off to look forward to, thus Monday does not arrive with as much of its usual sting.<br /><br />As I sometimes do, I check the Magic Kingdom hours at Walt Disney World before going to bed. I enjoy going to sleep knowing that while I lay my head down, some lucky guests are even at that moment zipping through Space Mountain or singing along with grim grinning ghosts in the Haunted Mansion.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/23/1124.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/23/s_1124.jpg' border='0' width='275' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Checking this evening I see that the Magic Kingdom is open until 3 A.M.! God bless 'em, three o'clock in the morning. And bless those workers that will be keeping that place bright and lively into the wee hours for the guests. I wish I was one of those lucky guests! My son and I - who have a habit of late night adventuring in the Magic Kingdom after my wife and daughter have had enough magic for the day and retired to the hotel room - we would be two of those happy yahoos who stay until the very last minute. We'd be taking a 2:30 a.m. excursion aboard the Jungle Cruise and climbing aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as the stars winked in the pre-dawn night sky far overhead. We'd be the ones munching hot dogs at Casey's Corner just before closing time, and the last ones to board our bus back to the resort, riding along the the dark, nearly abandoned Disney roads to whatever corner of the World held our resort. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/23/1125.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/23/s_1125.jpg' border='0' width='251' height='201' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Ah, how I wish we were there! Someday not too far from now, we'll be back to that happy place to create more memories. Until then, I'll have to go to bed tonight, in the quiet and dark of my bedroom, thinking of all the magic happening at that very moment at Walt Disney World. Although I cannot be there to share in that fun, still, it will put a smile on my face as I drift off to sleep.<br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-3558674670329335902011-11-18T19:51:00.001-05:002011-11-18T19:51:37.360-05:00The Halloween that Wasn'tThis year was the Halloween that wasn't. You see, this year, we got an unexpected snowfall a few days before Halloween. Only a few inches of snow, maybe three inches, and it was all melted away in a day or two. In the annals of New England snowfalls, barely anything at all. However, since the leaves were still on the trees, they acted like little hands that grabbed those fat wet flakes as they fell from the sky, weighing down the tree branches. Those branches snapped under the weight, snapped all all across Massachusetts and Connecticut, plunging hundreds of thousands of us into a new dark age. <br /><br />Now, living by candlelight and sleeping before one's (mostly ornamental) fireplace may seem a romantic and fun notion. And it certainly was, for the first evening. But as the days dragged on without light or heat or power, things got miserable. My neighborhood was without power for six days. Six days! Halloween fell smack in the middle of those six days. Updates from our public safety officials delivered to our cell phones confirmed that Halloween trick or treat had been postponed one week. We were all disappointed, but too busy shivering in the dark to really give it much thought (right after the early snowfall New England was hit with a spell of unseasonably cold nights...for those of us living without heat or power, well, it was not fun). <br /><br />I had taken a couple of days off from work (as was my custom) to really enjoy the Halloween holiday. I had no grand plans, simply to stay up late and watch a few favorite horror films, maybe take a quiet walk in one of my town's more picturesque and mood-inducing graveyards (being New England, we've got a few of those handy) read a few pages of Ray Bradbury's <ins>The October Country</ins> in peace and quiet with a steaming mug of coffee by my side. <br /><br />Instead the holiday was marked by the whine of my neighbors' power generators (unlike those well-prepared souls, we had no such back-up), cold that seeped into your bones, and a pathetic vigil for the impersonal powers that be (the power company) to eventually restore us to the 21st century.<br /><br />By the time the power came back up, we were several days into November and Halloween had passed. It was not even November first, <i>Dia de Muertos</i>, the Day of the Dead. Perhaps we could have salvaged something of Halloween if power had come up by <i>Dia de Muertos</i>. But no such good fortune. We were rudely ushered in cold and discomfort into November without passing through that spooky, black-and-orange, bat-and-skull festooned archway known as Halloween. <br /><br />On Sunday, November 6th, our town celebrated Halloween Trick or Treat. Supposedly. It seems that nearly no-one was in the Halloween spirit anymore, since we only got three intrepid trick-or-treaters rapping at our chamber door. Even they seemed a bit downcast as they held out their trick or treat bags...perhaps seeing no-one else about in costume took the wind out of their sails. I rewarded the intrepid three costumed callers with copious amounts of candy (who else was I going to give it to?) and a friendly "Happy Halloween" greeting. But we seemed to be performing our roles (they the children holding out their goody-sacks, me the adult filling the bags with treats) a bit hollowly, as if going through the motions of a play that has already seen its last audience. <br /><br />So now we look down the calendar towards Thanksgiving and the winter holidays (pick your tradition: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yule, Winter Solstice...). <br /><br />Let's hope they turn out better than Halloween, which did not stand a ghost of a chance this year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-44434382252844404172011-10-10T20:45:00.001-04:002011-11-06T16:38:37.458-05:00Walt Disney World October 2011<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3879.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3879.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Off to Florida!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3880.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3880.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Boarding pass? Check. Bagel in a bag? Check.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3881.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3881.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Don't forget the coffee!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3882.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3882.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The plane is here and we are happy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3883.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3883.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Looking out at our airplane.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3884.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3884.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Patriots fans often visit Walt Disney World.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3885.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3885.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Young man practicing his Disney smile. Keep practicing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3886.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3886.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />What's so interesting on the floor?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3887.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3887.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Just like magic, we are now in Orlando airport!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3888.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3888.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Does anyone see the Disney's Magical Express bus stop?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3889.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3889.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />There it is!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3890.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3890.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />On the bus to Walt Disney World, feelin' groovy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3891.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3891.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Yay! Off to Walt Disney World!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3892.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3892.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I'm going too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3893.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3893.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Nice hotel lobby.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3894.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3894.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />All alone by the telephone...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3895.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3895.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Not really - I'm here too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3896.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3896.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The view from our hotel balcony - not too shabby.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3897.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3897.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Another view from our balcony.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3898.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3898.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And here we have a beautiful woman taking in that view from the balcony.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3899.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3899.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />First stop: the Magic Kingdom!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3900.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3900.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A pretty pirate lass aboard Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3901.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3901.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Adventures with Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3902.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3902.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This large man in yellow looks dangerously flatulent - better watch out, pretty lady!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3903.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3903.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Oh no! Too late!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3904.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3904.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A pirate from Adventureland roaming Fantasyland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3905.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3905.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Now there are two pirates!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3906.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3906.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />That pirate is attacking guests in Frontierland!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3907.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3907.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />But wait! That's no regular guest! It's the Green Power Ranger! He can handle a pirate! The pretty pirate lass and some referee guy watch the battle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3908.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3908.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />No help from Yellow Ranger, who is texting when she should be helping Green Ranger.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3909.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3909.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />No help from Pink Ranger either! More texting! No superheroes should be allowed to text while on patrol. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3910.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3910.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This park guest is unimpressed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3911.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3911.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A thirsty guest with a very yellow drink.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3912.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3912.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Walt Disney World attraction lines can be long, but no problem when you ride with mom!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3913.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3913.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Or you ride in comfort and style!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3914.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3914.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Tired babies + comfy stroller = sleepy time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3915.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3915.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We're on the move!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3916.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3916.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Some get a little help from dad.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3917.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3917.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Or mom!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3918.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3918.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />So much to see and do!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3919.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3919.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />March, march, march!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3920.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3920.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Nothing will slow us down...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3921.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3921.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Not even a little rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3922.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3922.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Okay, a lot of rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3923.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3923.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Go, poncho patrol!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3924.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3924.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Thunder Mountain in the rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3925.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3925.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />On this side of the mountain, it's nice and sunny!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3926.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3926.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Bored on the WEDway People Mover? Impossible!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3927.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3927.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />These happy folks are enjoying their WEDway ride.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3928.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3928.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />So are these Tomorrowland travelers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3929.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3929.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Heed these wise words, young man.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3930.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3930.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Not a believer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3931.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3931.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Not impressed with the orange shirt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3932.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3932.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Let's go horseback riding at Fort Wilderness!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3933.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3933.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />But when you ride, be careful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3934.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3934.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Duly warned and ready to ride the trails.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3935.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3935.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This guy likes the smell of his poncho.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3936.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3936.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Look out for that purple people eater!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3937.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3937.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Looking a bit glum here...could it be???<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3938.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3938.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The dreaded "last day" of a Walt Disney World vacation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3939.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3939.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Eating ice cream helps.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/10/10/3940.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/10/10/s_3940.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We'll be back again soon!<br /><br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-34589019362670949532011-09-12T14:10:00.001-04:002011-09-12T14:13:39.840-04:00L'Appel de Cthulhu by Sans DetourHoly cow...get a look at the absolutely GORGEOUS 30th anniversary edition of Call of Cthulhu ("L'Appel de Cthulhu") by Chaosium's French licensee Sans Detour:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2205.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2205.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='214' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2206.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2206.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='198' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2207.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2207.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='195' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2208.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2208.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='193' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2209.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2209.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='192' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2210.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2210.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2211.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2211.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2212.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2212.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='191' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/09/12/2213.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/09/12/s_2213.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='192' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Now THAT is an anniversary edition! I wish that I was literate in French. Heck, I've (briefly) entertained the notion of buying this thing just on presentation alone. If Chaosium would translate this presentation into English, I'd snap it up in a hot minute.<br /><br />Full credit where credit is due: I grabbed these shots from the most excellent Cthulhu-mythos-oriented website Yog-Sothoth.com, which is THE online gathering place of all Lovecraftian and Call of Cthulhu-gaming fans. If it is happening in the world of Lovecraftian fiction and gaming, then it can be found somewhere on the sprawling and wonderful www.yog-sothoth.com.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-33736334432718837022011-08-30T23:20:00.001-04:002011-08-30T23:23:22.294-04:00The Mythos in my mailbox!Happiness, courtesy of my credit card, Amazon.com, and the U.S. Postal Service:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/30/4099.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/30/s_4099.jpg' border='0' width='185' height='240' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/30/4100.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/30/s_4100.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='255' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Stuart Boon's <ins>Cthulhu Britannica: Shadows Over Scotland</ins> and issue #19 of <i>The Unspeakable Oath</i> both were waiting for me after the end of a long work day. Woo hoo!<br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-50348186720950833692011-08-28T21:06:00.001-04:002011-08-28T21:06:43.336-04:00Sweet Birthday HaulThis weekend commemorated my 41st year on the planet. It's been a great run, and I hope to be in the race for many more years to come. I'm blessed with overall good health, great family and friends, and every day I can swing my two feet out of the bed and get on with a full day is a gift. That is the true meaning of celebrating my birthday. I am simply glad to be on the planet and in a position to enjoy many of its gifts - most of all my family and friends.<br /><br />That said, I did get a pretty sweet haul of gifts from family and friends who simply spoil me:<br /><br />A wireless printer for the Ipad2.<br /><br />A Waterman Precision fountain pen.<br /><br />A leather-covered, 400 page journal.<br /><br />A bottle of blue fountain pen ink.<br /><br />A shirt and tie.<br /><br />A subscription to "Celebrations" Walt Disney World magazine.<br /><br />A gift card to Barnes & Noble.<br /><br />A gift card to Amazon.com (already spent this one!).<br /><br />Two bottles of premium coffee syrup for the specialty drink of which I am particularly fond.<br /><br />A lottery card (I won $15!).<br /><br />Plus we all feasted on a chocolate birthday cake and ice cream.<br /><br />In all, a great birthday and I'm lucky to be the recipient of such fine gifts. I've already ordered four books with the Amazon.com card, so the birthday fun will "keep on going" when the books arrive.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to the first issue of "Celebrations" to arrive as well (I'm rather a Walt Disney World fanatic).<br /><br />I have a great family and wonderful friends, and for them I am very glad. They are the best ongoing birthday present anyone could ever wish for.<br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-14939331501059088612011-08-13T10:02:00.001-04:002011-08-13T12:23:11.260-04:00Lovecraftian PodcastsPresently I'm keeping up with my Call of Cthulhu scenario work, but my actual "sitting down to play Call of Cthulhu" has been on a bit of a hiatus this summer as my gamer friends' work and vacation schedules have made getting together to play a bit erratic. To get my Call of Cthulhu and gaming fix, I often turn to online podcasts to see who is doing what in the wide world of Lovecraftian and gaming interests. Here is a sampling of some can't miss Lovecraftian/Call of Cthulhu podcasts:<br /><br /><b>Yog Radio</b>. Find them at: <br /><br />www.yog-sothoth.com/radio<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/13/1436.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/13/s_1436.jpg' border='0' width='100' height='100' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Yog-Sothoth.com is THE site for Lovecraftian gaming (Call of Cthulhu, Trail of Cthulhu, Cthulhu Dark, Realms of Cthulhu, you name it) as well as general Lovecraftian interests and culture. The genial, cultured host is Paul Maclean ("Paul of Cthulhu") who - along with a motley crew of merry cultists - bring you the best in all things Cthulhu gaming. Along with podcasts, there is a plethora of forums, downloads, and features. If you are into Cthulhu Mythos gaming, you owe it to yourself to check out this site, if you have not already discovered it. Audio offerings include recordings of actual play; "Yog Radio" - a general Lovecraftian/gaming podcast; and "News from Pnakotus," a news briefing of the latest in Cthulhu gaming/media/literature. Great stuff. "News from Pnakotus" is co-hosted by Paul Maclean and Chris Lackey, which brings me to...<br /><br /><b>The H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast</b>. Find them at: <br /><br />www.hppodcraft.com<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/13/1437.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/13/s_1437.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='53' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Hosted by talents Chris Lackey (see "News from Pnakotus" above) and Chad Fifer, this dynamic duo present readings of Lovecraft's tales and literary analysis of said stories. Production values are high and it is very entertaining. Check it out!<br /><br /><b>The Lovecraftian Obsession Podcast</b>. Find it at: <br /><br />http://www.thecthulhucult.com/lovecraftian-obsession-podcast/<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/13/1438.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/13/s_1438.jpg' border='0' width='200' height='200' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />Hosted by author Rick Dakan (The Cthulhu Cult; After Lovecraft: the Horror at Red Hook). Mr. Dakan hosts approximately hour-long interviews with Lovecraftian luminaries such as Laird Barron, W.H. Pugmire, Ken Hite, Chris Lackey and Chad Fifer (see above), Dan Harms, Robert Price, and S.T. Joshi. Informal, informative, and quite entertaining.<br /><br /><b>The Gaming Grunts Podcast</b>. Find them at: <br /><br />http://www.thegaminggrunts.com/blog/<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/13/1439.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/13/s_1439.jpg' border='0' width='225' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />Gamemaster Jeff Okamoto and his fellow gaming grunts audio record their actual play sessions and take you along for the ride. Classic Call of Cthulhu campaigns ("Masks of Nyarlathotep," "Day of the Beast") are presented, along with shorter Call of Cthulhu scenarios as well as adventures from...well, "Adventure!" the rpg themed after the classic 1930s pulp serials and novellas.<br /><br /><b>Unspeakable! The Podcast of the Unspeakable Oath magazine</b>. Find them at: <br /><br />www.theunspeakableoath.com<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/13/2082.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/13/s_2082.jpg' border='0' width='225' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Presented by Shane Ivey, Toren Atkinson, and assorted guests, this fine podcast is the audio arm of Arc Dream Publishing's reanimation of "The Unspeakable Oath" magazine for Lovecraftian gaming. The guys have put together two lengthy podcasts (to date) and some audio extras such as their most recent panel session at this summer's GenCon. So far these podcasts are excellent as well as lengthy (perfect for long commutes in the car or long walks with the dog). Shane, Toren, and their guests are insiders in the Cthulhu publishing biz as well as devoted gamers and all-around talented guys, so this is well worth a listen.<br /><br />The above are only a brief sampling of the Lovecraftian and Call of Cthulhu themed podcasts you will find out on the web. They are good starting points and will themselves provide you with hundreds of hours of enjoyable listening, if this is your area of interest. <br /><br />Have other suggestions? Send a comment and share!<br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-79612211134952160422011-08-12T20:13:00.003-04:002011-08-12T20:25:37.436-04:00No Mystery Men and a Call of Cthulhu updateI am disappointed. I was slated to run the "Mystery Men" rpg this upcoming August 19th for our local gaming group. However, I got word from the host where we play that he and one of the other guys at the table are just not that interested in the game system. And these are the two biggest "superhero nerds" at the table, so...<br /><br />I replied "no use running the game, then." Damn.<br /><br />"Mystery Men" has a lot to recommend it, and I'm frustrated that the group does not want to give it a try. Add "Mystery Men" to the heap of games I've acquired and would like to try, but I just can't get the crew interested. Sigh.<br /><br />My favorite game is Call of Cthulhu, which I've enjoyed for many years. I've been fortunate to get a few things I've written for the game published in fairly recent offerings from Chaosium and Miskatonic River Press (Arkham Now; Terrors from Beyond; More Adventures in Arkham Country). I owe both publishers a sincere debt of gratitude for considering my work and allowing it to become a part of their publications.<br /><br />I've just received a check from Chaosium for my work in the upcoming "Atomic Age Cthulhu." Getting a check from them is a strong indication that this publication will see print in the not-too-distant future, for which I'm glad. There's one fellow out there in Internet-land that has gotten word of the impending release of "Atomic Age Cthulhu" and has done an absolutely whiz-bang job of drafting up an "Atomic Age" Call of Cthulhu character record sheet. Check it out here:<br /><br />http://cthulhureborn.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/atomic-age-cthulhu-character-sheet/<br /><br />Terrific stuff!<br /><br />Writing for Call of Cthulhu is hard work but brings great enjoyment. Although some reviewers have been fairly critical of some of my efforts, I do respect them for their opinions and their own passion for the game that we all so enjoy. I've made the acquaintance of many wonderful, talented people the last few years (fellow writers, enthusiasts, publishers), from whom I continue to learn a great deal; my respect for them deepens with each correspondence and collaboration. <br /><br />As far as playing Call of Cthulhu goes, our latest campaign effort broke-down mid-summer due to diverse work and vacation schedules. The little Call of Cthulhu gaming cabal we have going here in the heart of Lovecraft country hopes to resume its sanity-shaking activities as we approach the fiery-golden glow of autumn. Typically we play on Thursday nights, but I'm hoping we can change that to Saturday evenings. Weekends can be tough with family obligations, but gaming on weeknights has become increasingly difficult for me as my work schedule is varied and my commute to and from work is a long one. So for me, gaming on Saturday nights would be a more leisurely, relaxing experience. And typically there's no getting up early for work on Sundays, so that is a bonus as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-50670830903961484282011-08-08T00:50:00.001-04:002011-08-08T00:50:40.767-04:00The Haunter of the DarkIt's well past midnight, the witching hour. And I'm wide awake, of course. I've always been a night owl, and likely always will be. Fortunately I have the day off from work tomorrow, so the consequences of staying up late will not be as dreadful as would typically be the case. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/5450.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_5450.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='155' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Since I'm up, what shall we talk about?<br /><br />A quick update on all things gaming -<br /><br />Our local Call of Cthulhu game is on a hiatus until autumn. Summertime has just been too busy for everyone to commit to the every other Thursday night. I'm hoping we can change the game to Saturday nights come the autumn, as I work an hour away from where I live, and it's hectic to get home from work through tough traffic and get the house ready for the crew for 7 p.m., then run the game. Even when I'm just a player, and we're gaming at someone else's house, doing so on a weeknight is tough when the after-work commuting is difficult. Plus I'm a bit worn-out having worked most of the week, and then there is the prospect of having to work on Friday after a late Thursday night of gaming. I'll be 41 in a few weeks and pulling late nights on weeknights...I just don't recover from that like I used to. It would be so much nicer to game on Saturday nights. Everyone can be rested, nobody is rushed. I'm going to propose as such and see what sort of response it generates. We had started Chaosium's "Day of the Beast" campaign and I'd really like to play it through.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/5451.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_5451.jpg' border='0' width='216' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I will be running a different game on August 19th for a few members of our large, extended tribe of gamers. The game on that evening shall be "Mystery Men," the superhero rpg by John Stater that uses a variant of old-school D&D mechanics to power the rules. Since I cut my teeth on Basic D&D and then Advanced D&D in the early 1980's, I grok these rules a lot better than other systems. I also tend to like my rules simple, so I can focus on narrative rather than stopping every 90 seconds to look up a rule. Also, being a busy guy with demands at home and at work, I don't have scads of time to read and digest a lot of rulebook material. From an initial read-through, "Mystery Men" should be just the thing.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/5452.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_5452.jpg' border='0' width='215' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />If you would like to check out the "Mystery Men" rpg, the game is available as a free PDF download on Lulu.com. Just go to Lulu.com, type in "mystery men stater" and it should pop up. There's the free PDF and an option to purchase a print copy for around seven dollars and change plus shipping. I actually bought two print copies; they were inexpensive enough, so I will use one copy at the gaming table as my "beater" copy and the other will be a sort of museum piece/back-up in case my original gets too beat-up and cola-stained from use around the gaming table. I suspect a few of the players may print out their own copies of the game from the PDF, too.<br /><br />Our first adventure should be a fairly straightforward escapade so that the players can get a feel for their characters and all of us can get a sense of the mechanics in play. For the first adventure, I've planned that a psychotic antihero (actually a memorable character from a long ago Marvel FASERIP system game, played by one of the players who will be around the table on August 19th) has escaped from prison and has teamed up with another super-villain to start a new wave of terror. Our heroes must track down the escaped anti-hero then shut down the lair where he and his evil crony are planning their wicked deeds. There should be lots of goons to knock around and maybe a few robotic terrors guarding the lair of the main villains...plenty of chances to try out the game's combat system and feat system for attempting heroic and super-heroic deeds (essentially a simple, modified saving throw roll...either an opposed roll or against a target number set by the game master).<br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856091426996644407.post-25910541637129937482011-08-07T20:09:00.001-04:002011-08-07T21:24:51.647-04:00A New BeginningI am trying to get back into blogging. I had this Google Blogger account for a couple of years, but I let it languish. My old laptop PC was so slow and creaky that the prospect of logging on to the machine to do a quick and effortless blog entry was very discouraging. But I've had this Ipad 2 for some months now, and it activates with the flick of a finger, perfect for blogging.<br /><br />I revisited my blog and took a look at the old entries. With such lengthy spans between old entries, the blog was pretty much irrelevant. So I'm starting over.<br /><br />I had a false start earlier today by shutting down my Google Blogger account and opening up a Wordpress account. I did this because Wordpress has a free Ipad app that works with its blog platform. To fully utilize Google Blogger, I would need the Blogpress app, costing $2.99.<br /><br />I'm cheap, so I went with the Wordpress option. However, after a day of being challenged by the Wordpress platform, I have decided to return to Google Blogger. I coughed up the $2.99 and purchased/downloaded Blogpress. This is my first "new" post using the Blogpress app. I will try to upload a sample image along with this first post, to see if I've got the hang of this thing, to see how intuitive it is to post both text and media to my Google Blogger account using Blogpress. To start, let's go with an image of my favorite attraction at my favorite place on earth:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/4651.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_4651.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Mission accomplished. I think this is going to work out fine.<br /><br />Speaking of the Haunted Mansion, only a couple more months until I get down to Walt Disney World for some Halloween fun. Trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom should be a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to our stay at Bay Lake Tower.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/4652.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_4652.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I've got a good friend going to WDW in just a few short weeks (actually, I think he's down to days...). He and his family are staying at the Polynesian.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/08/07/4653.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/08/07/s_4653.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I hope he and his family have a great time. It's August and Central Florida, so I do hope he brings plenty of sunscreen and drinks lots of liquids.<br /><br /><br />Mograghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17339053590752003675noreply@blogger.com6